What is it about the artwork of Hajime Sorayama that attracted the likes of George Lucas, Aerosmith, Sony, and Bape? The AISHONANZUKA Gallery is presenting a solo show by the artist for the first time ever in Hong Kong on Saturday, September 7th.
The late 1970’s and early 80’s were a boom-time for the science fiction genre. Films, books and magazines went from being underground and niche, to becoming mainstream with the success of Star Wars.
Previously, Sci-Fi artists had enjoyed cult followings and thrived within the realm of comic books, pulp fiction paperbacks, specialty magazines, and album cover art.
As the explosion of interest in Sci-Fi brought forth new fantasy worlds of space ships and inter-galactic battles, artist Hajime Sorayama’s focus was instead on the future of the female form.
Rather than a cold, sterile outlook, his images had a soft, erotic side that featured metallic androids who were at once warm and futuristic.
His art, which involves a meticulous process that takes over thirty hours per work, results in images that are unbelievably vivid and detailed.
In addition to possessing unique visual elements, such as his mastery of recreating skin tones and metallic surfaces, there is also a great sense of storytelling present in Hajime Sorayama’s work. Looking at one of his images you feel as though it’s a frame taken from a much larger tale.
The Retro-Future
There is a clear difference between the artwork made today using digital techniques (on a computer,) and the art produced during this earlier period. Viewing the Sci-Fi artwork of the 70’s and 80’s it’s possible to see how today’s digital tools have shaped the imagery with a colder, more techno sentiment.
There’s something about the sense of dimension and lighting within 70’s and 80’s Sci-Fi artwork that’s filled with wonder and often more profound.
Recommended!
The Art of Hajime Sorayama
AISHONANZUKA Gallery
13A Regency Center, Phase 1
39 Wong Chuk Hang Road
Aberdeen, Hong Kong
Opening reception Saturday, September 7th, 2013
From 6pm to 8pm
Exhibition runs until October 5th, 2013
